I have been running a survey in some hypnotist Facebook and Linkedin boards and will post the results as they come in.

Clearly, coronavirus has changed the world – and that includes the world of hypnotists and hypnotic coaches. On March 24th I published an anonymous survey on a few professional hypnotist groups on facebook and one on Linkedin. Here are the results as of April 11, 2020 with the first responses.

But – before you look at the results – if you a practicing professional hypnotist –
Please click here to participate in the survey – remember it is completely anonymous – I have no way of knowing who says what.

HOW ARE YOU COPING WITH CORONAVIRUS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

Closed my office indefinitely:…………………….. 33%
Closed my office until an announced future date:….  0%
Switched to Zoom or Skype Sessions:………………70%
Focusing on Pre-recorded Sessions:………………. 3.5%
Focusing on Train the Trainer
(not individual hypnosis sessions)………………….7.5%     

EASE OR DIFFICULTY CONVERTING CLIENTS TO SKYPE OR ZOOM?

Easy to convert clients (all or virtually everyone):……………25%
Somewhat Difficult (75% or so conversion):…………………..24%
Very Difficult (50% – 75%):…………………………………… 3.5%
Extremely Difficult (25% – 50% conversion):…………………22%
Not Good at all (0% – 25%) :…………………………………….18%
Other (various – including “ethical”
issues with doing online hypnosis):…………………………….14%

ANY CHANGE IN FEE STRUCTURE?

No change for SKYPE OR ZOOM:……………………………54%
Temporary discount for SKYPE OR ZOOM:…………………  36%
Permanent Discount for SKYPE or ZOOM…………………..4%
Other (no explanation):……………………………………………5%

CHANGE IN INCOME (EXCLUDING STAGE HYPNOTISM)

No change:………………….. 14%
Down less than 25%……….3.5%
Down 25% – 50%:……………3.5%
Down 50% – 75%:………… 14.2%
Down 75% -90%:………….. 29%
Down 100% (zero income):..25%
Income INCREASED:……10.7%

RESPONDING HYPNOTISTS REPORTED ACROSS THE BOARD VIRTUALLY ZERO NEW CLIENT INQUIRIES
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO WHO REPORTED DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IN NEW CLIENTS BUT OFFERED NO DETAILS AS TO HOW THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED

Verbatim Comments Included – red ones are from those who say they are doing well financially and professionally during COVID-19:

Have had zero calls from prospective clients.
New clients canceled and no serious new enquiries. Usually see 2-3 free consults a week
Lots of anxiety a had a few who said they wanted face to face appointments.
had to tell them the office was closed. (This was before it was mandatory in PA . It is now mandatorynd stress enquiries but all expecting it free of charge.
We had to close March 13 . There has been zero money coming in.
Offering shorter than usual sessions at a lower rate than my usual program
May discount as economy worsens
May start chargeing a premium for office visits
Using doxy – works fineDiversify and keep your nerve. No one wants to seek support from someone that is unsure themselves. Stay healthy and check in on your own mental health.
Offering discounts for clients who have been economically impacted–or are fearful of that.
A small discount of 10% to try zoom and an extra hypnotherapy to relax
Use hypnosis on yourself to be an example
It will be the same
I have ethical concerns with online hypnosis work. Hypnosis requires a level of attentiveness on the part of the hypnotherapist that is compromised when done online and I refuse to compromise.
I am aiming to produce more products to sell online
Learning zoom
Was already seeing 1/3 of my clients online – now all of them.
While client load is full and everyone is paying, using online invoicing (Square) some clients do delay paying. I am thinking of just taking card numbers over the phone, but I think there is an upcharge for that. So income is not really down – but cash flow is more challenging
This needs a not applicable button. My client inquiries are about normal, and my census is full – scheduling a couple of weeks out. I have not run ads for months (I only do that sporadially anyway, to spruce things up if the census lags a little bit)
Have had zero calls from prospective clients.

Keep being visible – support your community
Work online! Be familiar with the literature that says counseling is just as effective by telehealth as face to face (it is not hypnosis, but it is related). There are massive VA studies. Run ads. Consider radio
Stay Active and keep moving forward with content creation and or connecting and collaboration
Focus on doing what you do best
Jason Linett
Believe in what you do
Law of attraction
Diversify and keep your nerve. No one wants to seek support from someone that is unsure themselves. Stay healthy and check in on your own mental health.

Obvously – though the sample is still small  – the profession will need to face some facts and adjust how approach to hypnotism – in the short-term certainly – but likely in the long-term as well.